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| A scenic view in October from Kinzua Area |
Fall will be upon us. Sunny cool days and the leaves will be turning so many beautiful colors. We live in Western New York not far from the Kinzua Dam.
Every year when the
leaves are at their peak, we take the drive down I86 East, from there we take
some back roads into Pennsylvania, through the Allegheny National Forest to the
Kinzua Area, the ride is breathtakingly scenic.
If you are in the process of planning a fall vacation, consider the Kinzua Dam. The dam is located about 6 miles east of Warren Pennsylvania, along route 59 nestled in the 500,000 acres of the Allegheny National Forest. I’m going to include a little history and all the fun activities in the Kinzua area.
So, if you like
camping, hiking, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, boating, or just relaxing and taking in the
views it’s all here at Kinzua. If you’re the outdoors type pack your bags and
get ready for some breathtaking views and fun. First here is some history of
the area.
Kinzua Dam Construction and Why:
Construction began in
1960 by the US Army Corps of Engineers and was completed in 1965. The main
purpose of the dam was for flood control on the Allegheny River. Kinzua
controls drainage on a watershed of 2,180 square miles.
Several side benefits
from the construction of the dam include drought control, hydroelectric power
production, and recreation. The dam created Pennsylvania’s deepest lake, the
Allegheny Reservoir, also known as Kinzua Lake.
The cost was
approximately $108 million. According to the US Army Corps of Engineers, the dam
paid for itself in 1972 when tropical storm Agnes’s heavy rains on the
watershed brought the reservoir to within three feet of its maximum capacity.
Downstream flood
damage would have been devastating at an estimated $247 million. The Kinzua Dam
has saved an estimated $1 billion in flood damages since it became operational.
Recreation at Kinzua Dam:
There are many
recreational activities at the Allegheny Reservoir and the surrounding area. If
you’re the outdoors type, then there is something here for you. Along the
reservoir, there is camping, boating, fishing, hiking, and a beach. If you’re the winter
type there is snowmobiling and cross country skiing along the trails.
The US Forest Service
has four reservoir campgrounds and five primitive (boat to or hike only)
camping areas. Most of the recreation areas surround Allegheny Lake.
We love to go
there any time of the year and soak in the beautiful scenery and walk the
trails. Since we live in Western New York, which is not so far from Kinzua,
it’s a nice drive, especially in the fall.
Hiking Trails and Beautiful Scenic Views
There are many scenic overlooks at Kinzua. There are two areas that we never miss
and never tire of visiting, they are Jake’s Rock and Rim Rock. The intro photo of this article was taken from Rim Rock.
The views from these overlooks
are beautiful any time of the year, but we prefer to go in the fall when the
views are breathtaking. We have been there many times and it’s always the same,
“Beautiful”
Did You Know That Johnny Cash recorded a song about the Kinzua Dam?
As a tribute to the
Seneca Nation of Indians, Johnny Cash recorded, As Long as the Grass Will Grow. The
construction of the Dam forced 600 Seneca Indians to relocate because 10,000
acres of their land had to be flooded.
This land had been
occupied by the Seneca Nation since the treaty of 1794. President Kennedy had
been asked to halt the project but declined because of the need for flood
control.
President Kennedy
ordered government agencies to assist in finding land for the placement of the
Seneca Nation of Indians.
If you are a fan on
Johnny Cash here is the song
United States Lighthouse Board, Public domain, 
Photo by @Sylvestermouse (2021)
